Written by Tarushi Singh
Edited by Advik Mohan
Illustration by Saranya Bhakuni
We are very free with regards to our lifestyle choices; we do not have an overhead surveillance system which continuously monitors us directly, but we have a surveillance system for those who attempt to steal to improve their own standard of life,for instance, a beggar stealing food. Well, many would contest this by saying that stealing is stealing, while some would oppose them, stating that poverty leaves the beggar with no choice. We cannot answer this by keeping our privilege in mind. Let us put ourselves in their shoes and think about it through their thought process.
As we “progress”, the shortage of resources, inequality and the economic gap just keep increasing, think about a world where a handful have resources and the rest are left with none. Wouldn’t the scope of crime increase then? That too, by a tremendous sum? It would not be surprising if that happens in a few decades. Sustainable living has been on the tip of every academic tongue for years, but the efforts for lifestyle change and implementation by those most responsible for negative change are still stagnant. A conscious and savvy part of the population exists, but active implementation is absent.
Taking an example from college, you will find people who cannot understand the difference between a blue and green bin, aka recyclable and non-recyclable bin, despite having instructions stuck on them, and all of us have regular HED sessions on topics of sustainability. Well, where is the use of that? Through this, we actually get to observe the privilege many of us have, most think of a bin as a mere waste disposing vessel, but those times are long gone. The contemporary times require us to adhere to basic instructions on disposing of waste as it contributes in recycling and reusing, which is the need of the hour.
This makes me wonder if we would adhere to all these instructions if we are continuously monitored and held accountable. Despite having the right to live a free lifestyle we are expected to perform certain duties and that must not be contested because our neglect in performing those duties causes a huge tax on the life of other individuals. If only we could understand that this freedom is a double-edged sword, which doesn’t sway in our favor all the time, we would be compassionate enough to our fellow citizens. Compassion can be shown in the simplest forms, for example, learning how to utilize all the resources at home, how one can reuse vegetables and fruits that are mildly spoiled, simply shopping less, thrifting, donating, participating in awareness campaigns etc. All this would help to uplift the lives of many.
This article does not suggest a particular future or solutions for the future, but it is merely pondering over a situation where all our lives will be under surveillance and we would need to alter our lifestyle to an extent where luxury would be a far-fetched dream. Is this a more likely outcome than corporations owning up to their unsustainable practices and changing for the better? My question is how long will we be able to retain this freedom,which enables us to sustain the ways we like? How much worse does reality need to get for us to realize the nightmare that awaits us?
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